WB-AMR has been adopted as an international standard for 3G mobile networks and countries such a Germany and the UK have already deployed the standard. According to the GMSA, 18 countries have deployed the technology.

WB-AMR, a speech codec, uses the same network capacity to double the voice bandwidth (50 – 7000 Hz) compared to traditional mobile and fixed network calls. In addition to compression technology, it also varies the amount of data it pumps into the network depending on the complexity of the speech pattern and suppresses background and ‘white’ noise.

HD-voice calls will require the caller and receiver to be using compatible handsets on the Telstra Next G mobile network for the full benefits of the technology.

Currently available HD Voice enabled handsets include the Nokia 6720, E52, E72 and N8-00 and HTC Desire S. The Sony Ericsson Neo-Xperia will be launched next month with HD Voice and Telstra expects a large percentage of new devices to be launch with HD Voice support in the coming year. ®